Watching The orator at work

nunc surgit magnus orator, causam dicturus: omnis locus in subselliīs occupatur; plenum est tribunal; iudices omnia illius verba audire cupientes silentium significant.

Now a great orator rises, about to plead a case: every place in the benches is occupied; the tribunal is full; the judges, desiring to hear all the words of that man, signal silence.

oculi omnium ad illum vertuntur.

The eyes of all are turned to that man.

tum multae admirationes, multae laudes.

Then many admirations, many praises.

orator animos audientium tangit.

The orator touches the minds of the listeners.

ubi cupit eos metū aut misericordiā movēri, metū aut misericordiā oppressi terrentur aut flent.

When he wants them to be moved by fear or pity, they are overcome by fear or pity and become frightened or weep.

de oratore, etiam si tu non adsidens et attentē audiens, sed unō aspectū et praeteriens eum aspexeris, saepe iudicare poteris.

About an orator, even if you are not sitting nearby and listening attentively, but have looked at him with a single glance while passing by, you will often be able to judge.

videbis iudicem oscitantem, loquentem cum alterō, non numquam etiam errantem, mittentem ad horas, verba ab oratore dicta neglegentem.

You will see a judge yawning, talking with another, sometimes even wandering around, sending someone to check the time, and ignoring the words spoken by the orator.

haec causa caret vero oratore, qui potest animos iudicum movēre oratione.

This case lacks a true orator, one who is able to move the minds of the judges with his speech.

si autem erectos iudices vīderis, qui de rē docēri videbuntur aut suspensi tenebuntur, ut cantū aliquō aves, cognosces signa veri oratoris et laborem oratorium bene gerentis.

But if you see judges sitting upright, who seem to be taught about the matter or are held in suspense, like birds by some song, you will recognize the signs of a true orator and of one who carries out his oratorical work well.